PLENARY SESSIONS

Jeff Cown, Director

Georgia Environmental Protection Division

Jeff Cown was appointed Director of the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources effective August 2023. Georgia EPD protects Georgia’s air, land, and water resources through the authority of state statutes and major parts of five federal environmental statutes. These laws regulate air quality, water quality, hazardous waste, water supply, solid waste, surface mining, underground storage tanks, and other areas.

Jeff first began his career with the DNR’s Environmental Protection Division in August of 1990. He started as a permit reviewer for solid waste handling facilities. In 1995, Jeff was promoted to lead the Municipal Solid Waste Handling and the Surface Mining Units.

In 2005, Jeff became the lead of the Solid Waste Management Program which handled permitting, closure, and reclamation, technical assistance for all solid waste handling facilities, and surface mining facilities for the state. In 2012, Jeff was promoted to Assistant Land Branch Chief and then to the Land Branch Chief in 2013. In his Branch Chief role, he led all land-based programs within the EPD. was also responsible for overseeing the Underground Storage Tank, Solid Waste, and Hazardous Waste Trust Funds.

In September of 2018, Jeff was appointed to Director of the State Parks and Historic Sites Division of DNR. The Parks & Historic Sites Division manages 70 properties that preserve the state’s environment and history. From the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Colonial Coast, these sites offer an exceptional variety of activities, such as hiking and biking, fishing and boating, picnicking, ranger programs, historic enactments, and golf for nearly 14 million people each year.

Jeff is a 1986 graduate of the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering (Go Dawgs) and a 2009 graduate of the Institute of Georgia Environmental Leadership (IGEL), Georgia’s environmental leadership program.

Jeff lives in Monroe and has 2 grown sons and 6 grandchildren.

Kevin McOmber, P.E., Regional Administrator

U.S. EPA Region 4

Kevin’s impressive 37-year career is distinguished by his dedication to community service and a deep commitment to environmental and municipal development. As a Professional Engineer (PE), he has led the design and execution of numerous large-scale public works projects across Georgia and the Southeast, focusing on sustainability, quality control, and cross-disciplinary collaboration. Notably, Kevin has been a trusted partner to local and state agencies, navigating complex permitting processes and fostering collaborative relationships that drive impactful outcomes. Prior to joining the EPA, Kevin served as Executive Vice President and National Community Practice Leader at CPL Architecture, Engineering, and Planning.

Ronald J. Sturgeon, Commander and District Engineer, Savannah District

U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS

Colonel Ronald J. Sturgeon assumed command of the Savannah District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, on August 4, 2023.

As District Commander, Sturgeon oversees the Savannah District’s military and civil works programs valued at approximately $1 billion. The construction mission alone involves an extensive program at 11 Army and Air Force installations throughout Georgia and North Carolina. The civil works mission consists of wetland protection oversight for all of Georgia and management of three hydroelectric dams and reservoirs that provide more than half of the peaking hydropower supply in the Southeast region. He will also oversee the water resource mission for the entire Savannah River Basin, which is a freshwater resource for eastern Georgia and western South Carolina down to the Savannah Harbor. He will oversee work on Georgia’s second deep-water harbor in Brunswick. As commander, Sturgeon is also responsible for the district’s work in military design and master planning, and the district’s mission for hazardous, toxic, and radioactive waste clean-up at formerly used defense sites and manages real estate activities for the Department of Defense. Further, the Savannah District functions as a resource in emergency operations in Georgia as well as other federal agencies.

Sturgeon was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant, Engineer Officer from Youngstown State University in 2001. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Youngstown State University, a Master of Science in Construction Management from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a Master of Science in Campaign Planning and Strategy from the Joint Advanced Warfighting School (JAWS). Sturgeon is a graduate of the Army Command and General Staff College, Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, and the Engineer Officer Basic and Advanced courses, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.

His assignments include service with airborne engineer and heavy construction units. He worked as a project engineer in St. Paul District, Minnesota and strategic planner at Headquarters US Army Corps of Engineers, Washington, DC. Additionally, he served as a security forces assistance advisor and human resources manager. His commands include the Company Commander of Alpha Company, 4th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg (known as Fort Liberty since 2023), North Carolina; Battalion Commander of 62nd Engineer Battalion, 36th Engineer Brigade, Fort Hood (known as Fort Cavazos since 2023), Texas; and Battalion Commander of 5th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 2nd Security Force Assistance Brigade, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Sturgeon has three combat deployments, one in Iraq and two to Afghanistan. He took part in the humanitarian relief mission to Louisiana in support of Joint Task Force Katrina. Lastly, he has deployed to multiple security forces assistance missions to build military capacity with our partners in Africa.

His military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star and Meritorious Service Medal, among others. He also earned the Combat Action Badge, the Ranger Tab, graduate of the Sapper Leader Course, the Parachutist Badge, and the Bronze Order of the de Fleury Medal. He is a certified Project Management Professional.